"And if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who indwells you." Romans 8:10-11

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Reason Not To Sin - 1 Peter 1:16-17 - Like the Father, Strangers in the World

Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:1Pet 1:16-17, KJV

Why not sin?

(1) To be like our Father. Verse 17 is almost saying, "Well, you're the one who calls God Father. Act like it, then."You claim Him as your Father, who begot you anew. Just as a child exhibits characteristics both inherited and learned from his parents, we too have, from our Father, an ability to do what's right, but we also must learn to do what's right. Since our Father is holy, it's fitting that we should also be holy: apart from sin like Jesus was.

In contrast to the Holy Father, God, we have our surroundings: the world. The more we grow to be like God, the more out of place we will feel in this world. Which brings us to the next point.

(2) You don't belong here. We are called exiles or sojourners (ESV, KJV). "This world is not my home, I'm just a-passing through." That song is right! The saying, "When in Rome, do as the Romans" does not apply to us! Though we are in the world, we must not act like the world because it is corrupted and fit only for burning (1 John 2:17, 2 Peter 3:10). Let us not act like those who are headed for that condemnation since we have been saved from that doom!